In the White House budget proposal for FY2019, the administration has once again proposed elimination of federal funding for libraries. Please email your Members of Congress and ask them to oppose cuts to federal library funding, and ask them to commit to fighting for libraries throughout the appropriations cycle.

In the White House budget proposal for FY 2019, the administration has once again proposed elimination of federal funding for libraries. Please email your Members of Congress and ask them to oppose cuts to federal library funding, and ask them to commit to fighting for libraries throughout the appropriations cycle.

The Museum and Library Services Act of 2017 (S. 2271) has been introduced by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). The 2017 MLSA reauthorizes the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), showing congressional support for the federal agency and the funding it administers (including LSTA). Please call your Senators and ask them to show their support of libraries by cosponsoring MLSA.

This week, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies is writing an FY 2018 appropriations bill that will include funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) during the current fiscal year. Currently, LSTA is funded at $183.6 million, but the additional funding in the budget agreement provides an opportunity to request additional funding for libraries – if senators hear from the library community. Please take a moment today to contact your senator and ask that they support $200 million for LSTA.

The FCC voted to gut the net neutrality protections that limit the power of Internet Service Providers to slow websites, block mobile apps, or in any way control the information we access. Contact your members of Congress today and ask them to use a Resolution of Disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn the FCC's disturbing rulemaking.

After many years of hard work, we are one step closer to seeing the Marrakesh Treaty implemented in the United States. The Marrakesh Treaty is an international copyright treaty that provides a copyright exception for libraries as authorized entities to make accessible copies of entire articles and books for people with print disabilities and distribute those copies across borders. If your Senators sit on the Senate Judiciary Committee or the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, ask them to cosponsor the Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act (S. 2559).